III

ENVOY

The legend of Felix is ended, the toiling
of Felix is done;
The Master has paid him his wages, the goal of his
journey is won;
He rests, but he never is idle; a thousand years
pass like a day,
In the glad surprise of that Paradise where work
is sweeter than play.

Yet often the King of that country comes
out from His tireless host,
And walks in this world of the weary as
if He loved it the most;
For here in the dusty confusion, with
eyes that are heavy and dim,
He meets again the labouring men who are
looking and longing for Him.

He cancels the curse of Eden, and brings
them a blessing instead:
Blessed are they that labour, for Jesus partakes
of their bread.
He puts His hand to their burdens, He enters their
homes at night:
Who does his best shall have as a guest the Master
of life and light.

And courage will come with His presence,
and patience return at His
touch,
And manifold sins be forgiven to those who love
Him much;
The cries of envy and anger will change to the songs
of cheer,
The toiling age will forget its rage when the Prince
of Peace draws near.

This is the gospel of labour, ring it,
ye bells of the kirk!
The Lord of Love came down from above, to live with
the men who work.
This is the rose that He planted, here in the thorn-curst
soil:
Heaven is blest with perfect rest, but the blessing
of Earth is toil.